MercadoLibre's Mercado Pago launches Dinero Blindado

MercadoLibre's digital wallet Mercado Pago introduced Dinero Blindado on October 8, 2026. The new security feature automatically hides user balances and protects sensitive transactions when a mobile device leaves designated trusted locations, such as a home or office.

Through Dinero Blindado, users can hide balances across savings reserves and investments in both pesos and dollars. The tool also disables dollar transfers as well as buying and selling operations outside trusted locations. Users can customize the settings to choose which specific financial products to safeguard, pause the protection, or resume it at will.

The company stated that the initiative addresses security concerns identified in an internal survey. The study found that 52% of users worry that a third party could use their digital money if their phone is lost or stolen, while 22% fear unauthorized access to personal data. In response to public risks, over 64% of respondents avoid taking out their phone unless necessary, and 61% reinforce access using passwords or facial recognition. In addition, 9 out of 10 surveyed users stated they would activate or consider using this feature.

Agustín Onagoity, vice president of Mercado Pago Argentina, highlighted that mobile phones now serve as the wallet for millions of users. The feature is available across the app and is configured by setting up frequent trusted Wi-Fi networks in the app's Security Center or through Mago, Mercado Pago's virtual personal assistant.